The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-03-18

Three days before the day that was
to make Mademoiselle Julie and M.
Boutegat one, she met Henri ere she
should be irretrievably lost to him.
The parting had sorely tried the
courage Of both. Although Henri
sought to break from his promise to
attend the nuptials, Julie firmly held
him TO his word.
There was nothing left for Henri but
to yield.
The preparations were all completed
and the final ceremony was all that re-
mained to be performed.
On the afternoon preceding the
notable day, Henri addressed note to
M. Boutegat, requesting him 10 call on
the former at bis apartments in the
Rue du Fouarre.
From subsequent developments, it
transpired that M. Boutegat had called
as requested.
The morning of the wedding day
dawned and all was in readiness. The
guests had assembled, and all the indi.
cations pointed to complete success of
of the nuptial ceremonies.
The priest arrived, and M. Boutegat
and Madam Vaupil seemed anxious to
have the performance of the cere.
monies begun at once. Mademoiselle
Julie alone appeared nervous at the
awaited arrival of Henri.
AT this point the lower door bell
rang, and, on its being opened, a COM
missionaire presented himself, stating
that he had chest to deliver. With
the assistance of the footman the box
was placed in the dining room. The
commissionaire, receiving his pay, re-
tired.
In her anxiety, Mademoiselle Julie
had heard the ringing of the bell and
had asked what or who 1t was. She
was informed of the arrival of the
chest.
She insisted upon its being opened
at once. Madam Vaupil objected,
stating that it was some wedding
present and that it would be opened in
due time.
The mother was anxious that nothing
should delay or mar the festivities.
Mademoselle, however, insisted, and
as the guests gathered about, the foot
man was instructed to open the box.
As the servant advanced he noticed
that spring lock kept the lid down,
and was about to state that it could
not be opened, when his eye fell upon
the key hanging at the side of the
chest. Placing the key in the lock he
opened it. The servant started back
shrieking as though a bomb had fallen
in their midst.
As the lid was raised the dead re-
mains of young man were disclosed
arrayed in full evening costume.
Making her way toward the chest,
Julie cast quick glance at the contents
and exclaimed in heartrendlng shrek
"Henr!" The misery of a blasted
life was conveyed in that one word.
They carried her limp form away and
the physician who hastened to her bed
side administered to her relief and stat.
ed that should she recover the shock
might dethrone her reason.
The marriage, being at least for a
time postponed, it in the meantime
came out that M. Boutegat was a
bankrupt and had counted upon jules
dowry to save him from ruin.
Henri had sent to M. Boutegat that
he might request that gentleman to
treat Julie with kindness and consider
alton, explaining that they had been
children together, and with that claim
he spoke.
Henri had kept his promise to be
present at the wedding, but not having
the courage to attend alive, had in
structed on the night preceding the
commissionarie to call for chest which
he described and deliver tito the Vaupil
mansion.
Julie recovered and taking the veil
spent her remaining days in the calm
seclusion of a convent.